Fidelity
Everything that is said is interpreted, with nothing added or left out.
Court and legal interpreter · New York
Mandarin interpreting
for the record
Depositions, examinations before trial, arbitrations and attorney-client meetings, on site in New York or remotely in any time zone.
Certified and registered by the New York State Unified Court SystemQualified by the U.S. Department of Justice
New YorkBeijing
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Method
Fidelity, clarity, register
In the preface to his 1898 translation of Huxley’s Evolution and Ethics, Yan Fu named three difficulties of translation: fidelity, clarity and elegance. In a deposition, elegance means keeping the witness’s own register, plain or formal, rather than polishing it.
譯事三難
信達雅
Clarity
Questions and answers come across in natural Mandarin or English, so the witness, counsel and the court reporter can follow them the first time.
Register
A plain-spoken witness sounds plain in English, a formal one sounds formal, and technical language stays technical.
95.50%
Consecutive interpretation score on the U.S. Department of Justice qualification assessment
88.41%
Sight translation score on the same assessment
2026
Retained as an expert witness on Mandarin usage in federal court
Same day
Availability confirmed the day you ask
Services
What I interpret
Consecutive interpretation for the record, simultaneous interpretation for a party at counsel table, and sight translation of Chinese documents, chat logs and social media posts.
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01
Depositions
Sworn testimony interpreted consecutively for the record, in person or over Zoom, Teams, Webex and court reporting platforms. Chinese exhibits are sight-translated during the session.
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02
Examinations before trial and 50‑h hearings
EBTs, 50‑h hearings on claims against the City and independent medical examinations, for plaintiffs’ counsel, defense counsel and insurers.
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03
Arbitrations and hearings
Arbitrations, mediations and administrative hearings, with simultaneous interpretation available for a party following the proceedings from counsel table.
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04
Client meetings and witness preparation
Attorney-client meetings, witness preparation and document review sessions. Everything discussed is kept in confidence.
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05
Intellectual property and complex commercial matters
Patent, trade secret and securities cases, which tend to be technical and heavy on exhibits. My résumé and disclosure package is ready for Patent Trial and Appeal Board and International Trade Commission proceedings, where interpreters are commonly disclosed to the other side in advance.
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06
Expert opinion on Mandarin usage
Analysis of contested Mandarin terms in their ordinary and figurative senses, including the language of social media. Retained as an expert witness in federal court in 2026.
New York
Based in New York
On site across the five boroughs and the wider New York area.
Booking direct
Working with me directly
When you book me directly, you know who will be interpreting, and you have my terms in writing before the date.
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01
One interpreter for the whole matter
The same interpreter at every session keeps names, terminology and the witness’s way of speaking consistent across transcripts.
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02
Rates before you book
I send my written rate sheet directly, not through an agency.
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03
Neutral on the record
I interpret as a neutral officer of the record and disclose any prior work for a party on request.
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04
Witnesses in Asia
Remote sessions overnight Eastern time for witnesses in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan.
Credentials
Credentials and representative work
New York State Unified Court System
2026Certified and registered Mandarin court interpreter
Passed the written examination in English proficiency and legal terminology and the oral language assessment. Eligible for assignment in all New York State courts.
U.S. Department of Justice
2024Qualified Mandarin court interpreter
Through the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Scores on the qualification assessment included:
95.50%
Consecutive interpretation
88.41%
Sight translation
Representative work
Depositions in federal civil litigation, engaged directly by trial counsel, including large class actions and high‑profile matters in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
2023 to presentExpert witness on Mandarin language and usage in a federal defamation action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland: written report on contested Mandarin terms in social media statements.
2026Removal proceedings before immigration judges, including master calendar and individual hearings, in person and by video. Positive reviews from numerous immigration judges.
2024 to presentNew York State court assignments, including Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term; and Civil Court of the City of New York, New York County.
2026
Matters are identified by type and court only; party names and docket numbers are withheld. References from trial counsel on request.
About
Beijing, then New York
I grew up in Beijing and have studied and worked in the United States since 2016. Mandarin and English are both native to me, and I speak each without an accent, which keeps the record clean for the court reporter and easy for counsel to follow.
I have interpreted in legal settings since 2023, at depositions for trial counsel in federal class actions, in removal proceedings before immigration judges and on New York State court assignments. In 2026 I also wrote an expert report on contested Mandarin terms in a federal defamation case.
Educated at the Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, Idyllwild Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music.
Zhengxi Zhang
張正熹
Booking
Check a date
Send the details and I will confirm availability the same day.
- z@zhengxiz.com
- Phone
- (617) 733-6228
- Coverage
- On site in the New York area; remotely in any time zone
Booking
Request received
You will hear back the same day from z@zhengxiz.com.